Making the World a Better Place to Eat

Category Archives: BBQ

PRLog – Aug. 14, 2014 – LOS ANGELES, Calif. — In the newest twist on one of America’s favorite foods, something different is being cooked up in Los Feliz. California Gold BBQ Rubs and Cheech’s Pizza have teamed up to offer a new line of thin crust Smoked Pizzas with Superfoods. With the growing trend of people trying to eat healthier, it is only natural to bring it to pizza.

Cheech’s Pizza has developed a special process of infusing natural Hickory Smoke into several of their pizza toppings. Borrowing from the Nutritional Charts, they use foods that already go great on pizza. For example, the Smoked Chicken Pizza comes with lean Smoked Chicken Breast, Fresh Spinach, Basil, Tomatoes, Garlic and Onion. These heart-healthy Superfoods are served on a thinner crust pizza with less sauce.

A Family Business since 1993, the restaurant has recently traded up to the next Generation. Longtime owner Doug Clarey has handed the reins over to daughter Alie, who has “worked” at Cheech’s Pizza since about the age of 6. With Alie being Vegetarian, it inspired the next new creation: The Smoked Veggie Combo. The line-up of Superfoods on the pizza include Smoked Garlic, Green Pepper, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Onion and Fresh Basil. The unique recipe shows that Hickory Smoking is not just for meat anymore. Most people who taste it can’t believe it’s meat-free.

The new pizzas come seasoned with POWER and HEROIC! from California Gold BBQ Rubs. Cheech’s is the first Los Angeles restaurant to offer customers the Superfood blends that include Garlic, Red Bell Pepper, Turmeric, Cumin, Cinnamon, Thyme, Nutmeg and more. Just the combination of Rub with natural Hickory Smoke makes the Smoked Sausage one of the most popular new toppings at the restaurant. It would be stretch to call Sausage a Superfood, but the Smoked Sausage Combo does come with healthy Fresh Tomato, Garlic, Mushroom, Green Bell Pepper and Basil.

From now though Labor Day (September 1st), there will be special opportunities for the Press and Public to try the new line of Superfood Pizzas. The first event is this coming Saturday and Sunday, August 16-17 from 11:00am to 1:00pm (each day). People can stop by for a free Slice and taste the Smoked Superfood Pizzas for themselves. Cheech’s Pizza is located at 2116 N. Hillhurst, 90027. Phone number is (323) 666-7744.

Can a gluten free, all-natural Superfood Blend with no added Salt or Sugar actually taste better than two of the top national brands? Come try the blind Taste Test and find out.

[LOS ANGELES] You are Invited. We are putting the new HEROIC! Blend by California Gold BBQ Rubs up against two of the leading national BBQ Seasoning Brands in a Blind Taste Test. Our YouTube camera crew will be there for anyone would like to “do it” on video. Only those who sign permission sheets will be taped.

It looks like the Sun will be shining for the event, which will happen from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday- March 8th at Baller True Value Hardware in the Silver Lake (Los Angeles) area. We will also be offering Free Food Tastings from our Grill. See You There!

Let’s face it, some of you are Pros at making the family Turkey for the Holidays, while others will be doing it for the first time. Still others would prefer to forget the last time they attempted to make a Turkey. Don’t despair- this easy recipe delivers a delicious bird that everyone will still be talking about as you ring in the New Year. Whether you decide to Smoke or Bake your Turkey this year, the Fresh Cranberry BBQ Sauce is also something to try.

Smoking a raw Turkey is a low and slow process that can take 8-10 Hours (or more). You need to monitor and maintain the heat and smoke throughout. Thawed frozen Turkeys take longer to cook than fresh pre-ordered ones. Carefully check the final temperature after cooking it.

The great advantage to this recipe is using a pre-cooked Turkey (usually frozen, thaw in the fridge for a week). Instead of the oven, why not heat your Turkey on the Grill? Wood Chips or Chunks add amazing fresh Smoked flavor that you can’t buy at any store.

We use POWER Rub as the only seasoning. May sound simple, but POWER consists of 15 carefully measured Herbs and Spices, including Smoked Paprika, Garlic, Ginger, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Cumin and Thyme. It is easier to reach for one fresh pre-mixed product than work your way around the Spice Rack, one bottle at a time. And you know some of those dry herbs and spices in your cabinet are years’ old.

Feel free to add any additional flavors you choose, like Sage or fresh Cracked Pepper. We solely stuffed the Turkey with Parsley for fresh herbal flavor. You can add Garlic, Fruit or even Stuffing because the Turkey is already cooked.

[Chips work better for Gas or Electric Grill, Chunks last longer with Charcoal]

Cooking Directions (step-by-step photos to follow):

1. The night before, rinse and dry thawed Turkey. Place on double ply foil. Sprinkle bunch of Parsley with POWER and rub inside of Turkey before stuffing. Generously season Turkey with Rub on all sides, being sure to get it under legs and wings. Wrap tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight.

2. Next day, take out Turkey to warm down while preparing Grill. Use indirect Grilling Method. On Gas/Electric Grill put dry Wood Chips in pan (or foil pouch) directly over high heat to get smoke. Wood and Charcoal Grills should use Wood Chips/Chunks that have soaked in water for at least 20 minutes. Turkey should be placed on opposite end of Grill.

3. Smoke Turkey on closed Grill for 3 to 3 1/2 Hours, replacing Wood Chips or Chunks as needed. Depending on heat, cook longer to make it more tender. We started cooking ours wrapped in foil for first hour, to start heating it through. Then, we opened foil for next hours before adding BBQ Sauce.

4. For last 30-40 minutes, baste Turkey with Cranberry BBQ Sauce. It will absorb smokey flavor. Finish with one final coat of BBQ Sauce before serving.

Cranberry BBQ Sauce:

1. In large pot, heat 2 cups of Orange or Cranberry Juice (or mixture). Add 1 bag of Fresh Cranberries, Brown Sugar, Vinegar and POWER Rub. Stir until dissolved. Warm covered on medium heat. Keep a close eye- if it boils, liquid will quickly rise to the top. Stir regularly.

2. After about 10 minutes, Cranberries with start to break down and sauce will thicken. Add Molasses, then heat for another 5 minutes. At this point you can taste sauce for flavoring. Add more Brown Sugar, Molasses or POWER to taste.

3. Simmer on low for 20 more minutes, stirring regularly. Set aside until you are ready to baste Turkey on Grill. Serve unused sauce in side dish at dinner.

On the platter, we garnished our Turkey with Parsley and sliced Oranges, adding a squeeze of fresh juice on top. At local Demos, people couldn’t stop commenting on how great this tasted. Also, while Grill is working, you can also smoke some Cashews, Almonds or Pistachios for your guests (of course seasoned with POWER). Aside from Thanksgiving, this recipe is great at Xmas (add Nutmeg and garnish with Mint). Enjoy and Happy Holidays.

PHOTO RECIPES

TURKEY

1. Sprinkle inside of bird and stuff with Seasoned Parsley.

2. Generously season entire Turkey with POWER Rub. Wrap and refrigerate overnight.

3. Smoke Turkey on indirect heat for 3 to 3 1/3 Hours, until warmed through. Baste in BBQ Sauce for final 30-40 Minutes.

Note- This article is a follow-up to a home cooking experiment. It is not intended to insure the the safety of anyone who tries it home. To be sure your DIY Smoker is safe, you may want to have it inspected by Fire and Food Safety Professionals. This project is not recommend for those under 18, without parental supervision. Original Article: ” MAKE DIY CERAMIC BBQ POT SMOKER in 5 EASY STEPS” http://wp.me/p3CG2Q-1v

The original DIY Ceramic BBQ Pot Smoker. Using Ceramic instead of Metal takes you a step closer to the old traditions of cooking in Brick Pits or burying Underground. The electric burner provides constant heat for hours and hours of Low and Slow cooking, with no Fluid or Propane necessary.

It all started innocently enough. Having mastered many methods of Grilling, Barbecuing and Smoking food, our superhero TasteeBQ was in the mood to try something new. He had read about Alton Brown’s $50 Ceramic Flower Pot Smoker and decided to build something similar to try at home. The experiment was going well. The new DIY Ceramic BBQ Pot Smoker had beautifully cooked some juicy 11 Hour Smoked Pulled Pork and tasty 16 Hour Smoked Ribs.

16 Hour Smoked Spareribs came out juicy and delicious. Full of Mesquite and Hickory flavors.

Then… Sirens! In came those do-gooders who quash cooking fun, everywhere- the Food Police. Yes, they are apparently done with Emeril, and are now coming after TasteeBQ. Its seems that Flower Pots and Bricks are not labeled “Food Grade”. For the sake of public safety and (his own health), TasteeBQ decided to take the experiment in a different direction.

“Clay pot cooking is a technique of cookingfood in an unglazed clay pot which has been soaked in water so as to release steam during the cooking process. This technique has a long history, stretching back at least to ancient Roman times, and is commonly used in several cuisines in Africa, Europe and Southeast and East Asia.” Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_pot_cooking

Not sure when people started to require a Food Safety label on every cooking implement around the world. Most of the U.S. Food Labeling Laws kicked in somewhere around 1965. Before then, the use of clay and ceramic was based on “Survival of the Fittest” (or “Best Pottery”). Most civilizations seem to have survived with untainted Earthenware. Due to lead concerns, it is still good to test your Earthenware, Terra Cotta Clay and Ceramics for it’s presence. We tested our DIY Ceramic BBQ Pot Smoker with a Home Test Kit and it passed the test for lead.

Home lead Testing Kit was affordable and easy to use. We passed!

For the latest guidance on Ceramics, the FDA said in 2012: “Agency investigators have in some cases found that the pottery exceeded FDA’s limits for “leachable” lead—lead that could get into food that comes in contact with the pottery. …The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says lead can be poisonous to everyone—especially so to infants and young children, as well as to fetuses.”-U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The advantage of the Electric/Ceramic technique is that it allows Low and Slow cooking with no fuss. No Propane, Charcoal, Lighting Fluid or other Accelerant is needed. Just a metal tray of Wood Chips, Chunks or Dust and an Electric Burner. As a follow-up test, TasteeBQ smoked Ribs on the Ceramic Pot Smoker for 16 Hours. They came out tender, juicy and delicious. A couple of days later, he finished the leftover Ribs on an indoor Gaggenau Grill and they were still fantastic.

To play it safe. TasteeBQ decided to convert a relatively affordable Kumado Ceramic Acorn Smoker by Char-Broil. Here are the adjusted Instructions and a Recipe for Smoked Cod. Enjoy.

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Kumado Acorn Smoker Grill by Char-Broil. Sorry so dark- enclosed patio is cool, but no Sunlight.

The $299 price tag at Loews still makes it a bargain compared to the $1000+ for the Ceramic Giant Egg.

Placing two Terra Cotta Bricks on rim for bottom Charcoal Grate. Omit the small Grate so cord has free access to bottom vent. Rest Electric Single Burner on top.

It was easy to convert the Kumado Acorn into an electric Smoker, once it was assembled. We simply relocated the Bricks, Burner and Wood Chip Pan.

Place metal pan with Wood Chips on top of Burner. We used Hickory, Mesquite and optional Charcoal for nice mix of flavors. Make sure you have access to Control Knob for Burner.

The Acorn even comes with a bottom vent the right size to pass through the cord- so no drilling is required. It is really convenient way to cook. Just plug in it, turn it on High and walk away for a few hours.

Built in vent is perfect size for cord. Close tight to maintain heat/ smoke before using.

For a first test TasteeBQ smoked a foil tray of Alaskan Cod Snapper for 2 1/2 hours. They came out perfectly. Here is simple Recipe:

Smoked Cod is served with Buttered Rice and Asaparagus. Rosemary Sprids add flavor while Smoking. Great for garnish. remove stems to make edible.

Smoked Alaskan Cod (Feeds 4 People)

2 lbs. Fresh Alaskan Cod Fillets

4-6 Fresh Springs of Rosemary

2 tbsp. POWER Rub

Olive Oil, Butter, Salt and Pepper to Taste.

Marinate Cod for at least a 1/2 hour in Olive Oil, Butter, POWER Rub and Salt & Pepper to taste. Plug in DIY Smoker. Let it heat up for 5 minutes. Place Cod on Foil or Grill safe pan. Smoke for 2 1/2 hours until fish is juicy and opaque.

Foil tray of Smoked Cod Fillets with POWER Rub, Butter, Lemon and Rosemary.

Happy National Taco Day, October 4th. Are you trying to eat healthy, but feel like you are stuck in a hard place between a Taco Truck and a BBQ Shack? Consider this recipe the Gluten Free (GF), grain free, good for you alternative. Though most Corn Tortillas are already GF, replacing them with Butter Lettuce is light, delicious twist.

Grilled Steak Tacos in Butter Lettuce Cups

If you don’t have a Grill available, the main ingredients can be Pan Roasted or Broiled in the Oven. Not into the Meat thing? Feel free to substitute juicy Portobello Mushrooms or your favorite Vegan Meat Substitute. These are also great with Grilled Chicken Breast.

These Tacos are great for a party first course or appetizer. As a main dish add more Meat or Grilled Avocados. It can also be served with Rice and/or Beans on the side. Go for the grain with Tortilla Chips or add colorful Veggie Chips (as a GF alternative). Of course, sprinkle the Chips with more delicious BBQ Rub and Enjoy!

This is one of the greatest mysteries of all time. Where do those Chickens come from? Why are the prepared ones cheaper than buying fresh ones? What road did those (same sized) Chickens cross to get to our table side ? Why are they so good? TasteeBQ had no time go ponder these deep thoughts. It was dinner time, traffic stucked, and those Rotisserie Chickens at the grocery looked mighty fine.

But hadn’t he consumed a whole Rotisserie Chicken every night for the past four days? He considered getting that $5.00 Fried 8-pc Chicken deal tonight… Nah maybe next time. So our Hero had to come up with a scheme. Some way to make the same, tasty Rotisserie Chicken taste not so… same. TasteeBQ came up with a Plan. Why not fly all over the world and seek Herbal Wisdom in a jar?